Five reasons South Carolina can beat Kentucky

1. SET YOUR WATCH BY IT

With Benny Snell returning and Stephen Johnson a mobile quarterback, why wouldn’t Kentucky run the ball? The predictability is something a Gamecock defense that faced two high-octane offenses over the previous two weeks will love.

2. RIDICULOUSNESS

The Wildcats have won three straight in the series. The Gamecocks had won 13 of 14 before. That has got to stop.

3. THREE PLAYS – RUN LEFT, RUN RIGHT, RUN MIDDLE

Kentucky’s defense was awful against the run last year and it’s no secret what USC will want to do. Same as against Missouri and NC State – run the ball, run clock, run the opposing offense out of its head by not being on the field.

4. SANDSTORM

The Gamecocks hold their home opener after two weeks on the road. No matter those results, USC’s legion of fans will be peeling their skin off to get back in Williams-Brice Stadium.

5. FINALLY BROKE THROUGH, TIME FOR A LETDOWN?

Nobody’s discounting the long slog Mark Stoops and Company took toward a bowl game last year. It came after several close calls. Now that the Wildcats are expected to do so much more, isn’t it about time for the boulder they’re pushing to roll back down?

This story was originally published July 17, 2017 at 2:49 PM.